Blog of poet Susan Laughter Meyers, an update of publishing news and poetry events--mainly ones that I'm participating in, mainly in the Carolinas.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Europe: Aug. 24 - Sept. 16

Blue and I took the trip of a lifetime recently: three weeks in Europe on a Rick Steves tour. A whirlwind adventure that included stops in The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, The Vatican, Switzerland, and France. A warm, energetic group of twenty-eight, plus our fearless guide Dimitri—always on the go, each of us whisking our carry-on bag and day pack from bus to hotel or vice-versa. Lucky us, with gorgeous weather on all but a couple of days.

My favorite country? Italy. Favorite moment? Sitting one night in a church in Venice, on the third row, when it hit me: Vivaldi in Venice! Such a beautiful church, beautiful night—and, of course, beautiful concert.

Having said that, I loved
every stop and have many wonderful memories and photos, as well as a few extra pounds to remind me of them all.

SC Academy of Authors brunch, 2013

"Every door is a lesson in leaving...."

POETRY BOOKS:
My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass (2013), winner of the Cider Press Review Editors Prize. Finalist for the National Poetry Series, the Prairie Schooner Book Prize, and the Robert Dana Anhinga Prize. Available at http://ciderpressreview.com.

Keep and Give Away (University of South Carolina Press, 2006), winner of the SC Poetry Book Prize, judged by Terrance Hayes; the SIBA Book Award for Poetry; and the Brockman-Campbell Book Award, judged by Rigoberto Gonzalez.

Lessons in Leaving, chapbook. Winner of the Persephone Press Book Award, judged by Brendan Galvin.

Other awards and prizes: the 2013 Edward Stanley Award from Prairie Schooner; the 2013 SC Academy of Authors' Carrie McCray Nickens Fellowship; and a 2011 Verna Ubben Fellowship to VCCA.